Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women in the United States, yet it is often overlooked and misunderstood. At Back In Line, we are passionate about educating, empowering, and supporting women in their journey to optimal heart health. February, recognized as Women's Heart Disease Month, provides the perfect opportunity to raise awareness and share valuable insights about how women can protect their hearts.
Unique Facts About Women's Heart Disease
- Symptoms Can Differ from Men's: While men often experience the classic chest pain, women may have subtler symptoms like shortness of breath, nausea, jaw pain, or extreme fatigue. This difference can delay diagnosis and treatment.
- Hormonal Shifts Impact Risk: Estrogen has a protective effect on the heart, which means that postmenopausal women face a higher risk of heart disease due to hormonal changes.
- Heart Disease Kills More Women Than All Cancers Combined: Despite the common perception of cancer being the biggest health threat, cardiovascular disease claims the lives of more women each year than all forms of cancer combined.
- Autoimmune Conditions Increase Risk: Women are more prone to autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, which also increase heart disease risk due to chronic inflammation.
Lifestyle Recommendations for a Healthier Heart
- Eat Heart-Smart Foods: Prioritize a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, nuts, and seeds. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish like salmon can reduce inflammation and support heart function.
- Stay Active: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week. Activities like brisk walking, cycling, or yoga are great for heart health.
- Manage Stress: Chronic stress can negatively impact heart health. Techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, and spending time in nature can help regulate stress levels.
- Regular Screenings: Knowing your numbers – blood pressure, apo(b), blood sugar, and body composition– can help detect potential issues early.
- Prioritize Quality Sleep: Poor sleep is linked to higher heart disease risk. Strive for 7-9 hours of restful sleep each night.
How Back In Line Supports Women's Heart Health
At Back In Line, we take a proactive, evidence based, innovative approach to your heart health and overall wellness, offering services designed to support cardiovascular health:
- Integrative Medicine: Let us guide you through your risk factors, family history, etc to optimize your future cardiovascular health. We use evidence based screening including expanded lipid panel testing that includes genetic cholesterol(Lp(a)), apo(b) testing, carotid artery ultrasound, just to name a few to bring to light your true future risk. We can also do specialized lab testing to see if there are better options for personalized medications to lower future risk.
- Nutritional Counseling: We guide you in making heart-healthy dietary choices tailored to your lifestyle and needs.
- Stress-Reduction Techniques: From lifestyle coaching to therapeutic services, we help you manage stress effectively.
Follow along at …..please include my Integrative MEdicine facebook page during the month of February to hear more interesting heart facts.
This February, let's work together to prioritize heart health. Whether you're seeking guidance, preventive care, or support for a heart-healthy lifestyle, Back In Line is here to walk alongside you every step of the way. Schedule a consultation today and take the first step toward a healthier heart – because a healthy heart is at the core of a vibrant life.
